Short stories by seven contemporary female writers on May 16, 2022Dedicated to the questioning minds, the latest book by the Publishers Aks Publications, Lahore titled ‘Goonjati Sargoshian’ comprises short stories of seven female writers belonging to the present generation. This book is the selection and presentation of Farheen Khalid and Safia Shahid. These girls are like-minded writers in their own right. Generally speaking the word […]
From Hushiarpur to Lyallpur on April 27, 2022As per the title this book, it is all about the journey of Colonel (r) Nawab Ali from Hushiarpur to Lyallpur. Naturally it entails the life history of Nawab Ali based on his migration to Pakistan, before and thereafter. This autobiography comprises work in Urdu and English. Both portions are intersected by a map of […]
Shafaq Lashari’s Chithiyan is a memorable read on April 15, 2022Since the day I opened my eyes in the milieu of literary people that surrounded my grandfather Khwaja Dil Muhammad, one of the most talked about domain that came in discussions was Mirza Ghalib’s letters. In the environment of 1950s and 1960s prevalent in the subcontinent, writing letters was an impressive and expressive form of […]
Indian award to Pakistani poets and writers on April 11, 2022It is a well-established fact that the present Indian rulers do not see eye to eye with their Pakistani counter parts. Presently in the RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh); the militant wing of PM Modi’s government, men gather in a suburban Mumbai park to play team-building games, meditate, chant Sanskrit mantras from Hindu scripture and salute […]
Ambassador Sibt-e-Yahya Naqvi pens autobiography titled Jo Hum Pe Guzri on March 10, 2022Unlike the general perception, the life of an ambassador or a councillor working in a foreign embassy is very difficult. This reviewer has witnessed it many times in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. They have to look after the reputation of their country in informal get-togethers apart from the official meetings in which their country’s […]
Malaal-e-Behunari is dedicated to the poet’s shortcomings on February 28, 2022A politician and poet Aslam Gurdaspuri is known for his couplet ‘Mala-e-Behnari Yei Hei Keh Main Aaj Tak Woh/She’r Nahi Keh Paya Jo She’r Main Kehna Chaheta Hun’ (I couldn’t say the couplet which I wanted to say since ages, due to my lament for not having the dexterity to do so). The name of […]
Munir Niazi as I knew him on February 11, 2022Undoubtedly Pakistan, since its conception, has provided nourishing ground for many poets for its three generations. Since my age is that of my country, I have met and seen lot many poets in my lifetime. The list is very long, from national poets such as Allama Muhammad Iqbal to poet Munir Niazi of the second […]
Lata, the ‘nightingale’ of Indian films, is no more on February 7, 2022Whenever I think of Lata Mangeshkar, many melodious songs come to my mind whether it is her song for Khem Chand Parkash’s composition ‘Mushkil Hei Buhut Mushkil’ from Kamal Amrohvi’s film ‘Mahal’ filmed on Madhubala or ‘Rasik Balma’ filmed on Nargis for the film ‘Awara’ or ‘Aaj Phir Jeene Ki Tamana Hei’ on Waheeda Rehman […]
The versatility of poet Qateel Shifai on January 20, 2022I was shocked when I listened to Qateel ShifaI’s famous song ‘Ulfat Ki Nai Manzil Ko Chala’ now ruined by Yesudas in KalyanJi AnandJi’s music for an Indian film. Though I am a fan of Yesudas and KA for their other works but this song in a different tune disappointed me since it was already […]
Sang-e-Siyah is Afra Bukhari’s fifth collection of short stories on December 29, 2021Afra Bukhari is neither a socialite nor part of any literary groupings. Despite that, she has acquired ample experience of life as a housewife and later as a widow and raise her children to create masterpieces in short story format. There was a gap of fifteen years in her writings and she started writing again […]